5-cyanopyridine-2-diazohydroxide, basic salts and use

Abstract

The title compounds are provided as well as a method for their production, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of treatment using the compounds in dosage form. The compounds of the invention have pharmacological properties and are useful cytostatic agents and cell growth inhibiting agents. ##STR1##

Having described the invention, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting the growth of leukemic cells comprising in dosage form a cell growth inhibiting amount of 5-cyanopyridine-2-diazohydroxide, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt having the formula ##STR3## where R is a 5-CN group and M is one equivalent of an alkali metal or one-half equivalent of an alkaline earth metal, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       2. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 containing 5-cyanopyridine-2-diazohydroxide, sodium salt. 
     
     
       3. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 containing 5-cyanopyridine-2-diazohydroxide, potassium salt. 
     
     
       4. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 containing 5-cyanopyridine-2-diazohydroxide, calcium salt. 
     
     
       5. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 containing 5-cyanopyridine-2-diazohydroxide, magnesium salt. 
     
     
       6. A method for inhibiting the growth of leukemic cells in a mammal which comprises administering a leukemic cell growth inhibiting amount of 5-cyanopyridine-2-diazohydroxide, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt having the formula ##STR4## where R is a 5-CN group and M is one equivalent of an alkali metal or one-half equivalent of an alkaline earth metal, in dosage form to a mammal in need thereof. 
     
     
       7. A method according to claim 6 employing 5-cyanopyridine-2-diazohydroxide, sodium salt. 
     
     
       8. A method according to claim 6 employing 5-cyanopyridine-2-diazohydroxide, potassium salt. 
     
     
       9. A method according to claim 6 employing 5-cyanopyridine-2-diazohydroxide, calcium salt. 
     
     
       10. A method according to claim 6 employing 5-cyanopyridine-2-diazohydroxide, magnesium salt.